ROAD WORK UNDERWAY

DOT: Resurfacing project, sidewalk installation happening in Madison, Oneida counties

Commuters travelling along Route 5 from Oneida County to Madison County have encountered delays as the New York State DOT begins work on a resurfacing project.

The project, coordinated by the DOT, includes recycling and repaving of a stretch of road from the Madison- Oneida County Line to Sconondoa Street in the Town of Vernon.

Currently, an estimated completion date for the Route 5 roadwork is Oct. 31. The project is expected to cost $1.7 million.

In addition to the Route 5 project and ongoing 365A construction, the DOT has also been at work on the pedestrian pathway referred to as the ‘deer path’ that brings walkers to the Lowe’s and Walmart plazas in the City of Oneida.

A nearly $700,000 project financed by the state, the DOT is installing a sidewalk that would begin at the intersection of Lenox Avenue and Route 5 and end near Sayles Street. The sidewalk is being installed on the north side of Lenox, on the right hand side of the road heading toward the Walmart and Lowe’s plazas.

Last year, the New York State DOT Project teamleader Joe Sciortino called the absence of a sidewalk along the route is a “detriment to the walking community.

The three major objectives of the project, which the DOT received design approval for in May of 2016, include:

•Extend the existing sidewalk to provide safe pedestrian access to Route 5;

•Provide traffic signal upgrades to accommodate pedestrian crossing;

•Ensure compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act within the project limits.

Additionally, the DOT will install new curbing in conjunction with the sidewalk, extending the curb outward approximately two feet. The extension of the curb will result in a narrowing of the lanes from 12 feet to 11 feet. Traffic lines are expected to remain in their current location.

The sidewalk project will also provide pedestrians with accommodations such as signalized intersections including crosswalks and call buttons. Sidewalk ramps and landings will be installed in accordance with ADA regulations.

With a Fall 2017 target for completion, the DOT has previously said it will perform a traffic study in order to determine whether or not the speed limit should change.

PHOTOS BY JOHN BREWER — ONEIDA DAILY DISPATCH Side by side images of the pedestrian trail leading to the Oneida Walmart and Oneida Lowes taken nearly a year apart. On the left is the former trail travelled by walkers taking Lenox Avenue to reach businesses at the Five Corners. On the right is the...

Roadwork taking place between the City of Sherrill and City of Oneida along Route 5began this week.

Crews work on recycling and resurfacing a stretch along Route 5as part of a larger series of statewide road repair and paving project.